Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.
1997 Dec;40(12):1757-1762.
Fibroblast Heterogeneity of Nasal Mucosa in Allergic and Non-Allergic Rhinitis
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Otolaryngology, KangNam General Hospital, Public Coorporation, Seoul, Korea.
- 2Department of Otolaryngology, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
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BACKGROUND: Some components of ground substance are involved in developing nasal allergy. The Langerhans' cells and dendritic cells are known as antigen presenting cells which initiate the allergic responses. The fibroblasts are a major component of the ground substance in respiratory epithelium and have many immunologic roles. Heterogeneity of fibroblast has been observed in other anatomical sites. But that was not reported in the nasal mucosa.
OBJECTIVES
We focused on the fibroblasts and attempted to compare the functions of these cells in allergic rhinitis(AR) and non-allergic rhinitis(NAR). The purpous of this study is to prove the heterogeneity of fibroblasts of nasal mucosa between AR and NAR for further evaluation to reveal the function of fibroblasts of nasal mucosa.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We used the fibroblasts from normal skin as a control, and fibroblasts from the nasal mucosa of AR and NAR for experimental study. We investigated the proliferation potential of the fibroblasts by the comparison of cell growth and we compared IL(Interleukin)-6 and TNF(Tumor necrosis factor)-alpha production in this culture system.
RESULTS
There was a difference of specific growth rate in the three groups(AR, NAR and normal skin). The specific production of IL-6 and TNF-alpha of the three groups showed different responses.
CONCLUSION
The differences in cell proliferation potential and cytokine production in these culture systems suggest the possibility of heterogeneity in fibroblasts of nasal mucosa between AR and NAR.
